The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will hold an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on Thursday, January 30, in Harare to address the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The summit will be chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current SADC chairperson. The SADC Secretariat said:
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The Summit follows the outcome of the Extraordinary Summit of the SADC Organ Troika plus the DRC and Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which was held on 28th January 2025 and was chaired by Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation.
The Extraordinary Summit will be preceded by the meetings of SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials and the SADC Council of Ministers.
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The security situation in eastern DRC is rapidly deteriorating, particularly following the recent capture of the key city of Goma by the M23 rebel group, which has escalated violence in the region.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, including three Malawian soldiers and thirteen South African soldiers who were killed during a peacekeeping mission after an encounter with the M23 rebels.
In addition to the loss of life, the fighting has forced over 400,000 people to flee their homes since the beginning of 2025.
The international community, including the United Nations Security Council, has urged an immediate end to hostilities and the withdrawal of external forces, such as the Rwandan troops, who are accused of supporting the M23 rebels.

Pindula News

The leaders of African countries are meeting in Harare to talk about the fighting in Congo. The leaders are worried because the situation is getting worse, with more violence and people having to leave their homes. Some soldiers from Malawi and South Africa have died in the fighting. The United Nations also wants the fighting to stop. The leaders will have meetings to try and find a way to make peace in Congo and help all the people who are suffering.

SADC To Hold Extraordinary Summit In Harare To Address DRC Security Crisis

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an extraordinary summit in Harare on Wednesday, November 20, but overlooked the civil unrest in Mozambique following the recent disputed elections.
The declaration of the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, as the winner sparked widespread protests that have resulted in at least 35 deaths and over 300 arrests.
According to Mozambique’s National Election Commission, Chapo secured 71 per cent of the vote, while the main opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, an independent candidate, received 20 per cent.
Mondlane has rejected the official results, declaring himself the true winner and calling for a rerun of the elections held on October 9.
In response, SADC urged opposition leaders to pursue legal avenues to challenge the election results, which was a setback for Mondlane’s demands.
Further, the opposition party RENAMO, a former rebel movement, has called for the elections to be annulled and for a caretaker government to be established to reform the electoral system before new elections take place.
During the summit, SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi opened the proceedings by praising Mozambique, Botswana, and Mauritius for conducting what he characterised as “peaceful” elections, a statement that contrasts sharply with the turmoil currently unfolding in Mozambique. He said:
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We did not expect that the election processes could deteriorate to the extent of serious conflict, disruption of economic activity, threat to human lives, and even loss of lives, as well as damage to property and infrastructure.
There are appropriate structures under the electoral laws and constitution of member states that deal with complaints and any misgivings about elections.
We plead with all those that are aggrieved with the election process to follow these lawful procedures and ensure safety of citizens and stability of the country.
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Mozambique’s Constitutional Court is currently reviewing a petition from the opposition to refrain from validating Daniel Chapo’s victory, with a decision still pending.
At the SADC summit, Chairman President Emmerson Mnangagwa chose not to address the violent clashes in Mozambique during his speech.
This omission is particularly glaring given the controversy surrounding Mnangagwa, who had congratulated Chapo even before the official results were announced.
Mnangagwa is a close ally of both outgoing Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi and incoming President Chapo.
On Wednesday, the SADC leaders decided to refer the ongoing crisis to the organ on politics, defence, and security, which is chaired by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
However, Hassan was not in attendance at the summit, raising questions about the immediate response to the unrest in Mozambique. A communique issued at the end of the meeting said:
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Summit received an update from His Excellency President Filipe Nyusi of the Republic of Mozambique on the post-election political and security situation in the country and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to work with the Republic of Mozambique in ensuring peace, security and stability through the relevant structures of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security cooperation.
Summit extended condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Mozambique for the lives lost during the post-election violence.
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Only five heads of state of the 16-member bloc, including Mnangagwa, attended the Harare summit, with many leaders sending their foreign ministers.
President Duma Boko (Botswana), President Felix Tshisekedi (DRC), President Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), and President Nyusi (Mozambique) attended the summit.
South Africa was represented by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, while Tanzania was represented by Deputy President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, also the President of Zanzibar.
Other attendees included Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini of Eswatini, Dr. Peya Mushelenga from Namibia, International Relations Minister Mulambo Haimbe from Zambia, Minister Limpho Tau from Lesotho, Minister João dos Santos Liberdade from Angola, Minister Harry Mkandawire from Malawi, and Minister Charles Errol Fonseka from Seychelles.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) had a meeting, but did not talk about the violence in Mozambique after the elections. The ruling party's candidate won, causing protests and many deaths. The opposition leader thinks he actually won and wants new elections. SADC says to follow legal processes. The opposition wants the election canceled and a new government. SADC leaders said they will work to make peace. Some leaders from different countries attended the meeting. The situation in Mozambique is still tense, and people are waiting for the court's decision.

SADC Summit Ignores Mozambique's Post-Election Violence

Zimbabweans expressed their frustrations towards Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema after he provided an update on the outcomes of the SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Hichilema highlighted that the Summit expressed concern at the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the Eastern DRC and the reported resumption of attacks and occupation of territory by the M23, in clear violation of the Cease Fire. The Summit provided strategic guidance on the deployment of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) to restore peace and security in the country. The Summit commended Member States that have committed additional pledges towards deploying the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
He also highlighted that the Summit reiterated the need for SADC to spearhead efforts towards mobilisation of resources for facilitating peace and security in the SADC Region. These efforts include reviving discussions to establish and operationalise the SADC Peace Fund and engaging International Cooperating Partners.
However, many Zimbabweans were disappointed that the summit did not address the political deadlock caused by the disputed August 23, 2023 elections. Academic <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ibbo_Mandaza/">Ibbo Mandaza</a> questioned why Zimbabwe was not discussed after the storm around the SEOM (SADC Electoral Observation Mission). He said:
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And on Zimbabwe? Is this evasion after all of that storm around SEOM?
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After the SEOM head to the Zimbabwean elections, Dr. Nevers Mumba, highlighted irregularities in the elections, he faced criticism from various groups and individuals in Zimbabwe. Some hoped that Hakainde Hichilema, as the chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Affairs, would address the issue and possibly influence a rerun or nullification of the elections. The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) even called for fresh polls.
However, the Summit’s communique mentioned that the Summit received an update on the elections in Zimbabwe but did not discuss the matter further. This means that political processes in Zimbabwe, including the upcoming by-elections, can proceed as planned without SADC’s involvement.
Some Zimbabweans criticised SADC, viewing it as a boys’ club that suppresses the continent and its people. They accused SADC of being a useless organisation without principles, values, and direction, as it has ignored the Zimbabwean issue for too long. Others expressed concern that SADC’s solidarity with the Zimbabwean government could lead to more conflicts and violence in the country.
Some Zimbabweans appealed to Hichilema and SADC to intervene and help address the “dictatorship and human rights abuses” in their country. They expressed disappointment and a sense of betrayal, questioning whether Hichilema would follow the same path as other leaders who have disappointed Zimbabweans in the past.
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